Bringing greater diversity to central Florida.

• Position: CHAPTER NEWS

Diversity has continually been a force for cultural and economic success around the world. The acceptance and promotion of diversity initiatives has helped businesses broaden their horizons. In the search for an inclusive culture, many chapters of FEI have taken up initiatives to increase diversity and, as a result, raise the effectiveness of individual chapters and in expanding their base of FEI members.

One illustrative example of FEI working toward a more diverse membership is the Central Florida Chapter. Ray Aguerrevere, vice president of Membership for the chapter, is an active board member who works diligently to integrate financial executives of various backgrounds into FEI.

As a Hispanic American, diversity is something he understands well. A 25-year resident of the area, Aguerrevere, who is vice president of Finance for Custom Metal Designs Inc., has witnessed firsthand the way in which Orlando has blossomed into an increasingly diverse region. Forbes magazine in 2008 listed Orlando as one of "America's newest immigrant capitals."

Consequently, when attending the FEI Summit last April in Phoenix, he learned about the new diversity initiatives being promoted by FEI, and decided to immediately get involved.

"With the goal of enhancing the networking, advocacy and leadership that defines FEI, this is an undertaking of a culture that embraces diversity while leveraging the differences and similarities of each FEI member," says Aguerrevere, referring to FEI's Diversity Mission Statement.

In just a few months, Central Florida has carried out major steps toward assimilating and working...